Bill blair in ottawa, welcome to hardtalk. Thank you very much, stephen. Its a pleasure to have you on the show. As Minister Of Defence in canada, how embarrassed are you that your country is still significantly failing to meet the collective commitment of nato Member States to spend at least 2 of your gdp on defence . Stephen, im not embarrassed at all because canada, under our government, has been investing very significantly in defence and theres been a very strong upper projectory of Defence Spending. Weve just introduced our latest Defence Policy, which injects a significant amount of new investment into Defence Spending. It builds up greater capabilities, it moves us much closer to the target of 2 , and with some of the other things that weve articulated in this Defence Policy, i think we are on a strong and inevitable path to achieving that 2 goal. Canada is well aware of its responsibilities to our nato allies, to our continental allies, through norad in the United States, and
Bill blair in ottawa, welcome to hardtalk. To hardtalk. Thank you very much. To hardtalk. Thank you very much it to hardtalk. Thank you very much it is to hardtalk. Thank you very much. It is a to hardtalk. Thank you very much. It is a pleasure to hardtalk. Thank you very much. It is a pleasure to to hardtalk. Thank you very l much. It is a pleasure to have ou on much. It is a pleasure to have you on the much. It is a pleasure to have you on the show. Much. It is a pleasure to have you on the show. As minister| much. It is a pleasure to have l you on the show. As Minister Of Defence in canada, how embarrassed are you that your country is still significantly failing to meet the collective commitment of nato Member States to spend at least 2 of your gdp on defence . I states to spend at least 296 of your gdp on defence . States to spend at least 296 of your gdp on defence . I am not embarrassed your gdp on defence . I am not embarrassed at your gdp on defence . I am not embarrassed at al
Bill blair in ottawa, welcome to hardtalk. Thank you very much, stephen. Its a pleasure to have you on the show. As Minister Of Defence in canada, how embarrassed are you that your country is still significantly failing to meet the collective commitment of nato Member States to spend at least 2 of your gdp on defence . Stephen, im not embarrassed at all because canada, under our government, has been investing very significantly in defence and theres been a very strong upper projectory of Defence Spending. Weve just introduced our latest Defence Policy, which injects a significant amount of new investment into Defence Spending. It builds up greater capabilities, it moves us much closer to the target of 2 , and with some of the other things that weve articulated in this Defence Policy, i think we are on a strong and inevitable path to achieving that 2 goal. Canada is well aware of its responsibilities to our nato allies, to our continental allies, through norad in the United States, and
Condone lawlessness and when you use violence in order to manifest your protest, you have stepped over the line and we heard those very words coming out of joe bidens mouth yesterday. Representative kliger and it went lastly, ask you about something that isnt that should not be so controversial. And you are receiving the president ial Medal Of Freedom and this year youre sharing the honore, several others, 18 others, Including Civil Rights Hey Khan medgar evers, who fought desegregation in mississippi before he was shot in the back by a white supremacist in 1963. What does this mean to you to receive this honore this is a great, great honor that i am very, very proud of. And as i said, to the President Biden when they call me to tell me he was confirm this other upon me. I just hope to live long enough its prove myself deserving of it. Thank him so much for the recognition. I congratulate the other 18 people who will get an a merrily fs is still living. I hope the widow of mecca evers